Method and device for operating a machine of the tobacco processing industry

Abstract

Process and device for operating a machine of the tobacco processing industry that includes a wrapping material strip supply and a garniture device, in which a conveyor path is defined between the wrapping material strip supply and the garniture device. The process includes suctioning at least one wrapping material strip that is provided for wrapping a material into a suction channel that branches off from the conveyor path, fixing the at least one wrapping material strip in at least one predetermined position along the conveyor path, and conveying the at least one wrapping material strip along the conveyor path from the at least one predetermined position. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A process for operating a machine of the tobacco processing industry that includes a wrapping material strip supply and a garniture device, in which a conveyor path is defined between the wrapping material strip supply and the garniture device, said process comprising: 
 suctioning at least one wrapping material strip that is provided for wrapping a material into a suction channel that branches off from the conveyor path;    fixing the at least one wrapping material strip in at least one predetermined position along the conveyor path; and    conveying the at least one wrapping material strip along the conveyor path from the at least one predetermined position.    
     
     
         2 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises one of a rod of smokeable material or filter material.  
     
     
         3 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising tearing the at least one wrapping material strip shortly before the suction channel.  
     
     
         4 . The process in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein compressed air is utilized to effect the tearing.  
     
     
         5 . The process in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the tearing is performed while the at least one wrapping material strip is fixed in the at least one predetermined position.  
     
     
         6 . The process in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein after the tearing, the at least one wrapping material strip is released from the at least one predetermined position to be conveyed along the conveyor path.  
     
     
         7 . The process in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein after the tearing, the at least one wrapping material strip is conveyed to the garniture device.  
     
     
         8 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising cutting the at least one wrapping material strip.  
     
     
         9 . The process in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein, after the cutting, a portion of the at least one wrapping material strip that is not being fixed is suctioned into the suction channel.  
     
     
         10 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprises stopping the suctioning into the suction channel.  
     
     
         11 . The process in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the suctioning is stopped by closing the suction channel with an air curtain.  
     
     
         12 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising conveying the at least one wrapping material strip to the garniture device.  
     
     
         13 . A device for feeding at least one wrapping material strip, comprising: 
 a feed element structured and arranged to feed the at least one wrapping material strip guided along a conveyor path to a material;    a severing element structured and arranged to sever the at least one wrapping material strip;    a fixing element structured and arranged to fix one end of the severed wrapping material strip; and    a suction channel structured and arranged to branch off from said conveyor path.    
     
     
         14 . The device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the conveyor path extends from a wrapping material strip supply to said feed element.  
     
     
         15 . The device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the material comprises a rod of smokeable material or filter material of the tobacco processing industry.  
     
     
         16 . The device in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising at least one first air nozzle provided in said suction channel.  
     
     
         17 . The device in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising at least one second severing element.  
     
     
         18 . The device in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said at least one second severing element comprises at least one second air nozzle.  
     
     
         19 . The device in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising at least one third air nozzle structured and arranged to produce an air curtain.  
     
     
         20 . The device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said at least one wrapping material strip comprises a plurality of wrapping material strips, and for each wrapping material strip, at least one of: a first air nozzle positioned in said suction channel, a third air nozzle structured for producing an air curtain, a first severing element formed by a cutting device and a second severing element formed by a second air nozzle is provided.  
     
     
         21 . The device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said fixing element is contained in said severing element  
     
     
         22 . The device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said fixing element is arranged upstream of said severing element in relation to a wrapping material strip travel direction.  
     
     
         23 . A rod maker comprising at least one feed device in accordance with  claim 13 .  
     
     
         24 . The rod maker in accordance with  claim 23 , structured and arranged as a rod maker  
     
     
         25 . The rod maker in accordance with  claim 23 , structured and arranged as a cigarette rod maker.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for feeding at least one wrapping material strip from a wrapping material strip supply to a feeding device, comprising: 
 a conveyor path defined between the wrapping strip material supply and the feeding device;    a suction channel positioned to branch off from said conveyor path;    at least one severing element structured and arranged along the conveyor path; and    a fixing element structured and arranged to positionally fix the wrapping material strip along the conveyor path.    
     
     
         27 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein said fixing element is positioned upstream of said suction channel in relation to a wrapping material strip travel direction.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 27 , further comprising at least one first air nozzle structured and arranged to guide the wrapping material strip along the conveyor path.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein said at least one severing element comprises at least one second air nozzle positioned across said conveyor path from said suction channel.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 29 , wherein said suction channel comprises at least one third air nozzle structured and arranged to suction said conveyor path.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 30 , further comprising at least one fourth air nozzle arranged at a junction of said conveyor path and said suction channel, said at least one fourth air nozzle being structured and arranged to create an air curtain to close off said suction channel.